Times are so tough at the hot corner for the Marlins that manager Ozzie Guillen said outfielder Justin Ruggiano was his emergency backup. Nick Green, who was penciled into the lineup at third for tonight's game, has been scratched due to a ligament injury to his left thumb. Greg Dobbs replaced Green on the lineup card, but he is dealing with an oblique strain that knocked him out of the lineup on Saturday. Dobbs is taking batting practice. Aterward, he said he was able to play but would have to "manage" his injury.
If Dobbs had been unable to go, manager Ozzie Guillen said he would have likely used Ruggiano at third. Yes, Ruggiano, whose sum total of professional experience at third is the one inning he played there in 2010 for Triple A Durham.
Guillen said it's too early to tell whether Green will go on the DL and the team is awaiting X-rays before making any decision.
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Look for rookie catcher Rob Brantly to see extensive playing time behind the plate. Guillen said he hasn't made up his mind yet on how much time that will be, but he said the Marlins didn't promote Brantly from the minors to have him sit on the bench. In fact, Guillen said Brantly would likely get his first start on Tuesday.
"He's going to play," Guillen said. "He's going to get a lot of at bats. That's the reason he's here."
Tuesday's starter for the Marlins, Josh Johnson, said he would "trust" the youngster and let him call the game -- up to a point. Johnson said he won't be afraid to shake off anything he doesn't like but, for the most part, plans on allowing Brantly to have his freedom calling pitches.
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